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Why Do the Wicked Prosper? (Daily Portion 10118)
Scripture Passage:
Psalm 73:1-14 The psalmist envies the wicked because they seem to live blessed lives while the godly are continually plagued with troubles.
What Does It Say?
- Truly God is _______ to Israel, even to such as are of a __________ heart.
- It seems that the wicked are not in ___________ as other men.
- The wicked have more than ________ could wish.
- The wicked set their mouth against the ___________.
- Yet the psalmist has been plagued all the ______ long and chastened every _________.
What Does It Mean?
- Verse 4 says of the wicked that “there are no bands in their death.” What do you think this is referring to?
- The “waters of a full cup are wrung out to them” (v.10). Look up Judges 6:38And it was so: for he rose up early on the morrow, and thrust the fleece together, and wringed the dew out of the fleece, a bowl full of water.
See All... and Matthew 10:42And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.
See All.... In light of these verses, what do you think this phrase means? - The wicked do not deny the existence of God but they doubt that there is knowledge in the most High (v.11). What does this mean in practice? How do people come to this belief?
What Does It Mean to Me?
- The psalmist is envious at the foolish when he sees the prosperity of the wicked. What have you sometimes envied about those who reject God? What is the solution to this feeling of envy?
- The psalmist begins to doubt, “Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency” (v.13). What does he mean by this statement? How can a believer come to this point? What should he do when he feels this way?
Proverbs 28:5
Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all things.